1102 replies to this topic

[dondo]

Nice work,look forward to seeing the finished article.

[cptkirk]

AUTOMATIC THROTTLE BLIPPER

 

The long winter nights have got me thinking about making my own automatic throttle blipper for downshifts - before any one says anything, yes I could learn to heel n toe but I am too old to give a Monkeys about it and want my life made easier.

 

I have seen it has been done by others, most noticeably a guy on the K20.org forum called MacLotus. He, however, got a company to make the stuff for him but it was initially his idea. His idea is a different take on it, than mine, and if you google DIY Throttle Blipper his system will come up as he posted it onto every forum he could. The finished product can be bought here: http://flatshifter.c...atshifter-blip/ you can see a link at the top of the page to a K24 Lotus.Now if you've got that kind of cash hanging around then that would be great - I dont...and I like making stuff myself.

 

So I am tackling my problem a little differently from the flatshifter product. They use fancy pants strain gauges in the gear linkage which cost a lot of money, a control box and a linear vacuum actuator, only blipping when the brake is applied and force on the gear lever. My system will have a fancy pants control box made by me (it wont be fancy at all), it is using two proximity switches that will be mounted at the brake pedal and clutch pedal and a solenoid with a load of grunt to do the blipping. I am able to control a delay time before the ON period and the length of the ON period when the solenoid will be activated. The whole system will be easily turned on/off so as not to look like a t!t in town.

 

My system will be activated when the clutch is depressed, however before that can happen the brake must also be applied, so both feet are being used on the brake and clutch, leaving the throttle pedal free. So this is where I am going to make the solenoid work. I've got a bit of space in the area around the top of the throttle pedal and as this is where I have connected my throttle cable it makes good sense to use it.

 

The throttle requires 30mm of linear travel to go from closed to wide open throttle, I only have 10mm of linear travel in the solenoid and in the interest of keeping things a simple as possible I dont want to be adding fulcrum points and levers so am going to need to get a hold of the throttle pedal closer to its fulcrum to get approx 2/3 open throttle which should be enough to get the revs up to help slip the lower gear in.

 

Normally at this point I'd be going on about how I'd made a super duper 3D model of it but I havent, not even a 2D sketch in CAD.......

 

I have however been working on the electronics side of it to make sure that side of it is possible before I go ahead and model the solenoid and its relationship with the pedal. I put together a basic test of the first round of parts and have got some really good results. I have some digital timers coming that I can control to 0.1seconds that will help me to fine tune the final product.

 

Here's a video of the initial testing of the electronics, note there is a slight delay before the solenoid is activated and that both switches need to be activated to get the system to work:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I need to go away and design the interface for the solenoid/throttle pedal.......more to come later......

 

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Edited by yeti21586, 18 March 2015 - 09:05 AM.
DONT TRY AND AVOID THE SWEAR FILTER!!

[minibugga]

Really nice work. Good thinking and very well prototyped!

 

I wish I could give you some further feedforward with this idea. I´ll keep watching :)

[RED HOT]

Andy,

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong on this or anybody else that has more heel and toe experience than I do, but looking at the throttle blipper you've got set up above you'll have a predetermined amount of throw and thus blip available from the actuator which will be the same for every down shift you make?

 

Will this actually be effective as will you not potentially require more or less throttle / rev matching in some cases compared to others?

 

I heel and toe a little in the daily when the chance arises to give her some beans and depending on the situation and what gear I'm changing into I either give it a little or a lot of throttle to try and match.

 

From reading through the description are you going to set it up in the worst case scenario and hope this covers 90% of the range you'll be using?

 

Please don't think I'm being picky or a complete arse with what you have planned I'm just interested that's all.

[cptkirk]

Andy,

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong on this or anybody else that has more heel and toe experience than I do, but looking at the throttle blipper you've got set up above you'll have a predetermined amount of throw and thus blip available from the actuator which will be the same for every down shift you make?

 

Will this actually be effective as will you not potentially require more or less throttle / rev matching in some cases compared to others?

 

I heel and toe a little in the daily when the chance arises to give her some beans and depending on the situation and what gear I'm changing into I either give it a little or a lot of throttle to try and match.

 

From reading through the description are you going to set it up in the worst case scenario and hope this covers 90% of the range you'll be using?

 

Please don't think I'm being picky or a complete arse with what you have planned I'm just interested that's all.

 

Hi Kev

 

I know what its like to write a questioning reply to something and try not to offend, I completely understand and welcome constructive questions/comments, hopefully it'll lead to a better solution/answer any questions.....

 

I will only be using this when tracking the car and it should cover the majority of the downshifts I will be doing as they will all be dropping into a lower gear at high revs when braking like mad.

 

Until I test it I wont know how effective it will be, whether a delay will be required (I figured the delay should last as long as it takes to depress the clutch, but the time this takes might be the same as the time it make to make the circuit, activate the solenoid, pull the pedal and rev up the engine) and how long the blip needs to be will all need fine tuning. I will make the circuit so it kills the feed to the solenoid should the clutch get released early or you get a foot slip off - not currently in the setup on the video.

 

The solenoid/throttle interface is proving interesting to design, due to the snappy nature of the solenoid, I am aiming to use some springs to soften the initial pull, to be a bit kinder on the throttle pedal/cable/body. There are various changes in angle between the rotating pedal and the linear solenoid which need to be overcome, the solenoid also needs to rotate slightly to take up the angular changes in one plane. I have some hand sketches now and some parts ordered so I shall be making a 3D model to prove the theory soon. Trying to keep the mechanical side of it simple is the biggest challenge, consider also that it must not affect the throttle pedal when not in use.

[jimmorris3]

Good morning,
Z cars don't seem to be to helpful about there inner arches and when there coming in ?
Would you be able to get a set made off your moulds and I'll pay what you wanted for them ?
Ordered them 4 months ago now and they still can't even give me a date

[dondo]

Just an Idea since the inner arches have been removed from Z car's web site and Jimmorris3 is looking for a set and I would also take a set go into production cptkirk!!!!! you have the skills, When I picked up my car in Feb from Z cars I enquired about this Item and was told the person they had contracted to make them was very slow!!!!! and they did not have any expected date of arrival for the ones on order and it would be quicker to make the item my self. 

 

Can I also pick your brains The wheels on the car are Image Alloys 8 x 13 195/45/13 rears and 7x13 175/50/13 front have been to my local tyre fitter not the big chain ones,they tell me they can't fit rear tyres as they are blown on to the rims with petrol ( sounds dangerous to me !!)

I was looking to fit some a bit softer for the summer months at present it has Conti Sport Contact on the car so what should I do?

 

As far as I can see it's either not drive the car so not to wear out the tyres, drive like Captain slow or is it new rims ?Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Nice work on your AUTOMATIC THROTTLE BLIPPER

[cptkirk]

Good morning,
Z cars don't seem to be to helpful about there inner arches and when there coming in ?
Would you be able to get a set made off your moulds and I'll pay what you wanted for them ?
Ordered them 4 months ago now and they still can't even give me a date

 

Morning Chaps.....

 

In answer to your question about inner arches I still have the moulds from the set I had made for mine and when I recently contacted my buddy about getting some more made his price was a little on the high side. Can you leave it with me as I need to contact someone to get a better quote, especially now more people might want them.

 

Gary - AKA Minithekid had recently asked em the same question so I think its time to extract the digit....

 

 

Just an Idea since the inner arches have been removed from Z car's web site and Jimmorris3 is looking for a set and I would also take a set go into production cptkirk!!!!! you have the skills, When I picked up my car in Feb from Z cars I enquired about this Item and was told the person they had contracted to make them was very slow!!!!! and they did not have any expected date of arrival for the ones on order and it would be quicker to make the item my self. 

 

Can I also pick your brains The wheels on the car are Image Alloys 8 x 13 195/45/13 rears and 7x13 175/50/13 front have been to my local tyre fitter not the big chain ones,they tell me they can't fit rear tyres as they are blown on to the rims with petrol ( sounds dangerous to me !!)

I was looking to fit some a bit softer for the summer months at present it has Conti Sport Contact on the car so what should I do?

 

As far as I can see it's either not drive the car so not to wear out the tyres, drive like Captain slow or is it new rims ?Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Nice work on your AUTOMATIC THROTTLE BLIPPER

 

 

I have Toyo R888 225/45 R13 (E marked (list 1B in the MSA rulebook) medium compound track tyre) on my rears and you do not need to do any monkeying around to get them on the same size rims, they will grip a feck load better than continental road tyres. They aren't bad in the wet, just not great with standing water as there's not enough grooves to expel the water.

 

I have posted this before but here it is again, a list of track/performance tyres and sizes - you might want to try the Kumho 215/50 if you're wanting a track tyre or the ZZR 215/55 for a road tyre

 

 

 

Still waiting on parts from the east to make any progress on the throttle blipper...

 

.

Edited by cptkirk, 19 March 2015 - 08:16 AM.

[dondo]

 

Good morning,
Z cars don't seem to be to helpful about there inner arches and when there coming in ?
Would you be able to get a set made off your moulds and I'll pay what you wanted for them ?
Ordered them 4 months ago now and they still can't even give me a date

 

Morning Chaps.....

 

In answer to your question about inner arches I still have the moulds from the set I had made for mine and when I recently contacted my buddy about getting some more made his price was a little on the high side. Can you leave it with me as I need to contact someone to get a better quote, especially now more people might want them.

 

Gary - AKA Minithekid had recently asked em the same question so I think its time to extract the digit....

 

 

Just an Idea since the inner arches have been removed from Z car's web site and Jimmorris3 is looking for a set and I would also take a set go into production cptkirk!!!!! you have the skills, When I picked up my car in Feb from Z cars I enquired about this Item and was told the person they had contracted to make them was very slow!!!!! and they did not have any expected date of arrival for the ones on order and it would be quicker to make the item my self. 

 

Can I also pick your brains The wheels on the car are Image Alloys 8 x 13 195/45/13 rears and 7x13 175/50/13 front have been to my local tyre fitter not the big chain ones,they tell me they can't fit rear tyres as they are blown on to the rims with petrol ( sounds dangerous to me !!)

I was looking to fit some a bit softer for the summer months at present it has Conti Sport Contact on the car so what should I do?

 

As far as I can see it's either not drive the car so not to wear out the tyres, drive like Captain slow or is it new rims ?Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Nice work on your AUTOMATIC THROTTLE BLIPPER

 

 

I have Toyo R888 225/45 R13 (E marked (list 1B in the MSA rulebook) medium compound track tyre) on my rears and you do not need to do any monkeying around to get them on the same size rims, they will grip a feck load better than continental road tyres. They aren't bad in the wet, just not great with standing water as there's not enough grooves to expel the water.

 

I have posted this before but here it is again, a list of track/performance tyres and sizes - you might want to try the Kumho 215/50 if you're wanting a track tyre or the ZZR 215/55 for a road tyre

 

 

 

Still waiting on parts from the east to make any progress on the throttle blipper...

 

.

 

 

 

Good morning,
Z cars don't seem to be to helpful about there inner arches and when there coming in ?
Would you be able to get a set made off your moulds and I'll pay what you wanted for them ?
Ordered them 4 months ago now and they still can't even give me a date

 

Morning Chaps.....

 

In answer to your question about inner arches I still have the moulds from the set I had made for mine and when I recently contacted my buddy about getting some more made his price was a little on the high side. Can you leave it with me as I need to contact someone to get a better quote, especially now more people might want them.

 

Gary - AKA Minithekid had recently asked em the same question so I think its time to extract the digit....

 

 

Just an Idea since the inner arches have been removed from Z car's web site and Jimmorris3 is looking for a set and I would also take a set go into production cptkirk!!!!! you have the skills, When I picked up my car in Feb from Z cars I enquired about this Item and was told the person they had contracted to make them was very slow!!!!! and they did not have any expected date of arrival for the ones on order and it would be quicker to make the item my self. 

 

Can I also pick your brains The wheels on the car are Image Alloys 8 x 13 195/45/13 rears and 7x13 175/50/13 front have been to my local tyre fitter not the big chain ones,they tell me they can't fit rear tyres as they are blown on to the rims with petrol ( sounds dangerous to me !!)

I was looking to fit some a bit softer for the summer months at present it has Conti Sport Contact on the car so what should I do?

 

As far as I can see it's either not drive the car so not to wear out the tyres, drive like Captain slow or is it new rims ?Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Nice work on your AUTOMATIC THROTTLE BLIPPER

 

 

I have Toyo R888 225/45 R13 (E marked (list 1B in the MSA rulebook) medium compound track tyre) on my rears and you do not need to do any monkeying around to get them on the same size rims, they will grip a feck load better than continental road tyres. They aren't bad in the wet, just not great with standing water as there's not enough grooves to expel the water.

 

I have posted this before but here it is again, a list of track/performance tyres and sizes - you might want to try the Kumho 215/50 if you're wanting a track tyre or the ZZR 215/55 for a road tyre

 

 

 

Still waiting on parts from the east to make any progress on the throttle blipper...

 

.

 

Thanks for the info, Don

[jimmorris3]

Avon are making a new tyre now

Zzs
There using them In the new caterham series
Seem to have some really good reviews

[cptkirk]

Flowmaster DBX Silencer Setup

 

With the help of my good mate Stevie G we made some progress on the welding up of the new silencer setup. WE hope to make more progress next week, I'll let the photos do the talking:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cptkirk]

AUTOMATIC THROTTLE BLIPPER

 

I got my new Solenoid through, to give a sense of scale, there is the original 5kg solenoid and a 13mm spanner in the photo. The new solenoid is good for 45kg so shouldnt have any bother doing what I need it to do....

 

Now I need to draw it up and model the whole setup to know what I need to manufacture to get it working.

 

 

 

 

Here's a hand sketch of initial ideas of how to mount it, the pedal isnt in view yet...after receiving the new solenoid I might look at getting a new insert for it machined that will incorporate a lot of this - maybe, depends on the hassle factor

 

 

 

 

I hope to have some modelling done next week to show.

 

.

[cptkirk]

Avon are making a new tyre now

Zzs
There using them In the new caterham series
Seem to have some really good reviews

 

I just looked into these, they are the replacement for the CR500's (same sizes, re-badged), they wont be cheap and I cant seem to find anywhere on the net that sells them...

[andream88]

what about the ACB10 sport Andy?

 

(great job on both the blipper and the new exhaust ;) )

Edited by andream88, 20 March 2015 - 07:50 PM.

[jimmorris3]

Avon themselves gave me a price which was better than yokos and r888s :) got myself a set on order